In a surprising turn of events, Myanmar’s military ruler, General Min Aung Hlaing, has attended a regional summit in Bangkok after a week of silence that followed a devastating earthquake in his country. The quake left over 3,100 people dead while injuring and displacing thousands. The earthquake, along with the humanitarian crisis it unleashed, invited international concern, and drew the attention of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who issued an urgent call for aid.
Hlaing’s government has faced international isolation and condemnation for whay is perceived as an aggressive and brutal 2021 power grab. Previously extending the Sompong’s CC while snapping pics where cameras don’t lie seemed to signal to observers a growing willingness to engage more in Southeast Asia. Lately though he has been out of the public eye almost entirely. Bound to raise some eyebrows, such a last-minute decision to find diplomats after decades of silence makes sense only with how he interprets the quake’s Sympathy dynamics. There is no denying the decline in sympathy, and the window of opportunity preceeds Hlaing’s need to muster some legitimacy before his neighbors goes back to something less than masquerade.
A Strategic Shift Amidst Tragedy
Rohingya politicians have chastised Min Aung Hlaing for attending the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit that was held in Bangkok last Friday. They believe that with the earthquake’s humanitarian crisis he seeks to diplomatic capitalize aid lie just below that surface. By attending, as a head of state, he is afforded the rare chance to mingle with invite-over theme leaders and do some real talking – something that has had to be put on hold for the two years reign because of the international condemnation of the Myanmar military.
Myanmar sorting out it’s cambodias also indicates – to some degree at least – that diplomacy container Asean still has some value. The summit also featured Indian and Thai leaders together with leaders from Bangladesh and several other wanting to get their nose under the Myanmar tent. It overwhelmingly shifts the focus to actual capturing of value because it was purely meant to deal with collective trade, security and infrastructural development pressing matters. Still one can only wonder what prompted Myanmar’s isolated movements to attendance the earthquake-sparked summit. The rapid refinement of regional relations on the side of the river seems then best possible explain these to unleash Myanmar’s self-perception as a democratic country riddled in social-political occurring turmoil.
A Strategic Approach: Myanmar and Its International Relations
The world almost universally condemned Myanmar due to the military coup in 2021, along with the junta’s violent repression of pro-democracy and ethnic minority movements. Nevertheless, some regional actors continue to engage with Myanmar for their own economic and security reasons.
Even in the face of Myanmar’s aggressively militarized government, neighbors like Thailand and India make a point to have pragmatic relations due to the strategic relevance of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. These countries have adopted a prudent stance, realizing that Myanmar’s turbulence could have a wider regional impact. This means that they neither fully condemn the regime nor completely sever relations.
It seems that Min Aung Hlaing’s participation in the BIMSTEC summit was an outreach effort to these neighbors, seeking to strengthen these regional ties as well as gain from the window for diplomatic engagements caused by the earthquake. Since the world is focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the junta in power is trying to use its participation in these forums to improve its image in the international arena and particularly enhance its standing regionally with respect to trade and security issues.
A Two-Pronged Approach to The Earthquake
Myanmars longstanding crises came into focus after the earthquake last week. It is painful to think about the destruction and death. At the same time, the disaster has intensified the need for regional cohesive action and humanitarian assistance. While the United Nations and several NGOs are trying to step up their support, the terrain where military rule reigns makes aid access multifaceted.
This problem is an opportunity and a risk for Hlaing Min Aung. The earthquake drew international concern and attention, and Myanmar’s involvement in regional talk provides the junta with opportunity to showcase their responsible nature. However, the inability to implement effective relief efforts, observe human rights, or allow free international scrutiny of the state could diminish previously gained diplomatic leverage.
While there is a need to respond to calls made by global leaders, Myanmar’s military government must find a way to balance accepting aid while maintaining control and increasing international scrutiny of the nation.
Will Myanmar’s Path Change Due To Regional Diplomacy?
With the participation in the BIMSTEC summit, there are concerns regarding Min Aung Hlaing’s Myanmar diplomacy. The ASEAN countries have chosen a rather ambiguous position regarding Myanmar’s crisis, while the BIMSTEC countries seem to take more proactive steps in dealing with Myanmar’s military leaders.
During the Bangkok summit, Myanmar had a more active role in other regional affiliations, provided that the junta maintains its hold on other internal issues like the ethnic armed struggle and the economy. The earthquake might be an opportunity for Myanmar’s military rule to divert its neighbors trust towards it by managing disaster relief effectively.
On the other hand, the cynicism regarding the regime is still prevailing, especially by the groups which push for the restoration of democracy. The junta’s active diplomacy is likely to pay of but, for now, the military rule’s proved willingness for change and respect for human rights will determine whether these initiatives are substantive or just face saving.
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Risk that Could Lead to Disaster
The participation of Min Aung Hlaing in the BIMSTEC conference in Bangkok portrays the multidimensional geopolitical technology of Myanmar. While the earthquake has certainly brought about a problem of humanitarian magnitude, it has also allowed for diplomacy steps to be taken—steps that the junta is more than willing to take. How well Myanmar takes advantage of the gap will be determined by the militant leadership’s capacity to regulate control and manage subservience aid channels within the country through the needed reforms and aid frameworks.
Myanmar, for now, will be waiting. Diplomatically, their position is precarious. Contemplating regional cooperation needs to change—and rapidly. It is their only chance. Moreover, the country needs to demonstrate a durable solution toward managing volatility and the prevailing condition of instability within the country. Whether the moves Aung Hlaing is attempting to make will incur a peaceful resolution to the crisis or are simply further hollow attempts to restore diplomacy strategies after devastation is something that needs monitoring over time.